Myrtus Communis (Myrtle Tree: leaf and body) extract in Rat Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion injury

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of myrtus communis extract (MCE) against renal I/R injury. Materials and methods: 36 adult males Wistar albino rats, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into six groups of six rats each. Group 1 was designated as the sham group. Group 2 was designated as the control one. MCE was administered via gastric gavage over a period of 10 days, dosed at 0.1 mL/kg/day in the third group, 0.2 mL/kg/day in the fourth group, 0.3 mL/kg/day in the fifth group, and 0.5 mL/kg/day in the sixth group. On the 10th day, the I/R procedure was performed. Results: The pathological examination showed that the formation of hyaline cylinders in the tubular lumen was significantly higher in the control group when compared to the others (p<0.05). Glomerular Bowman space enlargement was statistically significantly lower in groups 5 and 6 compared with the controls (p<0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), hydroxyproline, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and total oxidant status (TOS) were found to be increased in the control group when compared with the others (p<0.05), while a statistically significant reduction was seen in the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.05). Conclusions: MCE protected kidney tissue against I/R injury. This result was most likely due to the antioxidant properties of MCE. MCE is a promising natural substance for preventing I/R damage.